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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1948
'Death Smog' Could Blanket Los Angeles Or Brooklyn
Donora, Pa.—(UP)—A change in prevailing winds was blamed for causing a five-day "death smog" over this Monongahela valley community where 19 persons lost their lives.
The incident, one investigator said, might well have happened in Brooklyn, in northern New Jersey, or in Los Angeles, which also have smogs. It happened here because Democrats
is locked in a pocket of the industrialized river valley with mountain ridges on all sides of the town. Usually, it was explained, prevailing winds blow across the valley at this point and prevent fog, or smog, from developing for long periods of time.
A week ago fog began settling in the "pocket," but there were no prevailing winds that day. The fog settled more and more. Smoke and fumes from the tall chimneys of the American Steel and Wire company, particularly the company's zinc smelting plant, were trapped under the blanket that settled tighter and tighter upon the Donora pocket. For five days there were no prevailing winds.
Residents of this community began noticing a sweet taste in their throats. They coughed. They became ill. At least 19 died.
As investigations neared completion, the mystery began to clear. It was learned that a state department of health report will say that the smog contained chemicals, perhaps some sulphur dioxide, but not enough to be considered dangerous to health.
The report, it was said, may give the steel company a "clean bill," but may suggest changes before the zinc plant is put back into operation.
One chemist pointed out that prolonged exposure to polluted air is more dangerous than periodic exposure, even though the concentration of poison may be more during the brief period. In the case of Donora, it was pointed out, the smog went around the clock for five days.
Only those already ill were seriously affected. Of the 19 who died, one already was dying of cancer, another of tuberculosis, several of heart disease and the others of chronic bronchial asthma. A health board official said that perhaps "as many as five" may have died during the period, smog or no.
Numerous suggestions for preventing another serious smog here are being discussed. One is the installation of equipment which would keep constant check on the prevailing winds and the "danger point" of concentration of smoke or chemical particles. This would be for the whole valley, because there are numerous other smelting plants and blast furnaces along the river.
Lloyds Of London Raised An Eyebrow At Writing A 'Loss Of Memory' Policy
Hollywood—(UP)—Members of the movie colony have taken out insurance policies on bosoms, noses, and accents. Now comes the first "loss of memory" insurance.
Lloyds of London, raising its British eyebrows, wrote the policy for Jimmy the raven.
"He knows 53 usable words," his trainer, H. W. (Curly) Twierd said, and "a few we can't use. If he ever forgets me, I'm out $700 a week."
Without his vocabulary, Jimmy would be just another beak to feed in Twiford's sizable menagery. With it, he draws $500 a week for movie roles such as he has in Eagle-Lion's "The Spiritualist," and Twiford draws another $200 for taking him to work.
"He ought to be good for at least another century. What other actor can make that claim?"
"From a long-term view," Twi-ford said, "he's about the most valuable property in Hollywood. Ravens live 135 to 150 years, and Jimmy's only 15.
It takes a week to teach Jimmy a new word, Twiford said. If it's more than one syllable, it takes two weeks.
Like most movie stars, Jimmy is easily ruffled. When he's upset, he closes up like a clam.
That's why Twiford gets $200 a week. While the director and the other actors tap their feet impatiently, Twiford tries to get Jimmy to open his mouth.
"I use the same method a producer uses on a temperamental star." Twiford said. "Outrageous flattery."
"I tell him Lassie is only a third stringer, and Trigger is ready for one night stands.
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- A-2 Horsehide Jackets ... $22.50
- B-15 Air Force Jackets ... $16.95
- Air Force Zipper Sweaters ... $3.95
- B-11 Parka Hood Jackets ... 24.95
- Paratroopers Boots ... $9.95
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A 20 year old flag is being flown from the turret of Fraser hall for the first time.
Flag On Fraser Announces 'Hamlet'
It belongs to the University players and is being used to indicate the production of "Hamlet" is being presented in the theater there.
During the Elizabethan period, a similar flag was flown from the turret of the Globe theater, famous for its Shakespeare plays, to tell the people of London a play was being given on the inside.
When the Players first moved into Fraser hall, Allen Crafton, professor in the speech and drama department, said: "Now, we can fly the flag as they did years ago in London when they gave a play" Years passed by and the flag was never unturped. It can be seen for the first time today on Fraser.
Capt. W. R. Terrell, commandant of the Naval Reserve Officers Training corps unit here, will attend the Association of N. R. O. T. C. colleges and universities, at Northwestern university, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20.
Call K. U. 251 With Your News
Terrell Will Attend NROTC Meet At Northwestern
He will be an observer at the yearly meeting of the organization.
Peeler Peels Squirrels To Be Champion Skinner
Salem, Ill.-(UP)-J. A. "Jake" Peeler is the nation's number one squirrel skimmer. In a championship contest here, he dressed 20 squirrels in 20 minutes, to finish 58 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Peeler has won the contest three consecutive years.
A cord of seasoned wood will give as much heat as a ton of coal.
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